Omonia on high alert after player tests positive

Coronavirus has once again infiltrated the local football scene, as after dozens of new cases were detected among players and staff of the Nea Salamina and Ethnikos Achnas clubs, a player of first division AC Omonia was also announced positive on Friday.

The player had featured in Omonia’s game against Olympiacos in Greece on Wednesday, before later testing positive for coronavirus upon returning from Greece.

The entire team was tested as required by health protocols for those returning from Greece, but just the one player tested positive. Repeat tests are expected to assess whether the virus spread among the rest of the team.

The player is set to remain in quarantine for two weeks, making him unavailable to play in the second leg against Olympiacos in Cyprus on Tuesday.

Health ministry orders tests on Cyprus football leagues

The health ministry announced on Friday that coronavirus tests will be conducted for all participants in matches of the Cyprus Football Association, except the ones in the first division.

The announcement also said tests will also target retirement homes, following a decision by the Cabinet to step up measures to contain COVID-19.

Specifically, 7,000 tests will target participants of CFA events, except those playing in the first division league.

Moreover, over 1,700 tests will target employees and residents of retirement homes. Tests will be done by a mobile unit.

These tests pile above the additional 3,000 recently announced targeting residents of Larnaca, deemed the epicentre of the recent spike of the virus.

Another 500 tests will target citizens of the Achna community after a cluster formed among players and staff of the Ethnikos Achnas football club.